Film star turned Kerala legislator quits

Film star K.B. Ganesh Kumar, the lone Kerala Congress (Pillai) legislator, Tuesday submitted his resignation from the assembly to party chief R. Balakrishna Pillai, who is his father.

The ruling Congress led government of Oommen Chandy has just 73 legislators in the 140 member Kerala assembly.

There were dramatic scenes Tuesday morning when Ganesh Kumar submitted his resignation letter.

Party officials confirmed the receipt of the letter.

Ganesh Kumar, 47, had to quit the Chandy cabinet in April after his doctor wife filed a police complaint accusing him of domestic violence.

"There are grievances of course as there was an assurance from the UDF (United Democratic Front) that he would be reinducted. Anyway let us see...I will neither confirm nor deny receipt of his resignation. Tomorrow we are meeting on the occasion of our 49th birthday of our formation and I will say everything tomorrow (Wednesday)," Pillai told reporters.

Even though the ruling Congress led United Democratic Front (UDF) sees this as nothing but pressure tactics, senior party leaders of the Congress and their allies have started talks with Pillai to pacify him.

Yamini Thankachi April 1 night had submitted a written complaint to Chandy, accusing her minister husband of domestic violence and Chandy soon handed it over to the director general of police.

She also filed a police complaint and a few hours after that Ganesh Kumar submitted his resignation to Chandy. A few days later conciliation talks took place between the representatives of the estranged couple.

On Tuesday, senior UDF leaders like State Congress chief Ramesh Chennithala and IUML leader and State Industries Minister P.K.Kunhalikutty said that all issues will be taken up at the UDF meeting Thursday.

Chandy spoke to Ganesh Kumar and assured him his grievances will be addressed.

Former home minister and CPI-M politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan dismissed it as a gimmick and pressure tactics.

"This is nothing but a drama enacted...one has to find out if Chandy has given any assurance to Kumar on his reinduction and if it has been there, it clearly shows that the former as always is playing the slippery game," said Balakrishnan.